An American Airlines jet takes off from O’Hare Airport.Associated Press The massive expansion of O’Hare Airport appeared to be cleared for takeoff on Friday after United and American Airlines, the airport’s two major carriers, signed off on Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plan to salvage construction of a global terminal and two satellite concourses that, airline officials feared, was $1.5 billion over budget.To cut costs and appease the two major airlines footing much of the bill, Johnson has proposed a major change in the order of construction.It would move up construction of the global terminal and push back the building of satellite concourses intended to increase competition for United and American by delivering more passenger gates.The Johnson administration has insisted the satellite concourses, while delayed, would still be built. They would simply be completed later, along with that infusion of additional gates. For weeks, United and American have been mulling the mayor’s offer. They were still considering it nearly two weeks ago, when Johnson joined forces with U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth to announce the start of a $300 million plan to upgrade Terminal 3 at O’Hare. The ceremonial groundbreaking to announce the start of the renovation of Terminal 3 at O’Hare Airport on April 22. A trough of dirt was brought into the terminal and dignitaries tossed shovels of it onto the concourse floor. Airport workers later swept the dirt back up. Wielding the ceremonial spades were (from left): Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill.; Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill.; Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson; Jamie L. Rhee, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Aviation; U.S. Rep. Chuy Garcia, D-Ill.; U.S. Rep. Danny Davis, D-Ill.; and Shannetta R. Griffin, associate administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.Jim Vondruska/Sun-Times The global terminal, designed by the firm of renowned Chicago architect Jeanne Gang, would replace O'Hare's Terminal 2. It would allow passengers to transfer from domestic to international flights without using Terminal 5, the current international terminal.On Friday, the mayor finally got the answer he wanted to hear: a thumbs-up from both airlines. In a statement, United said it was pleased the city had "put forth a phasing plan" to ensure money is "first spent on the mission-critical portions" of the expansion. The global terminal "has always been the centerpiece of this program and the crucial piece needed to ensure Chicago maintains its status as a global hub. Under this new phasing plan, we can deliver the most impactful elements of the modernization project the quickest." United is looking forward "to collaborating with the Mayor and his aviation department on the budget, scope and design of the project," according to the airline's statement.  American’s statement said the Dallas-based airline was “pleased to support the city’s proposal to move forward with the Terminal Area Plan … in a way that protects the competitiveness” of O’Hare. Without saying when the long-stalled next phase of the O’Hare makeover would begin, American said it looks “forward to enhancing the travel experience for our customers, improving the efficiency of our operation and creating thousands of jobs for Chicagoans.”American's statement thanked Johnson “for his commitment to phase the project in a way that prioritizes the Global Terminal and the most impactful elements" of the expansion plan.“The path ahead will be challenging, and we’ll all need to continue working together to get this project completed within the allotted budget. "In a statement, the mayor's office said it was "thrilled" that the expansion, which will "bring benefits to the traveling public sooner, while providing thousands of jobs and contracting opportunities to Chicago," will proceed."We are extremely grateful to United Airlines, American Airlines, and other federal, state, and local stakeholders for their valued and trusted partnership." Related O’Hare to unveil international terminal overhaul O’Hare regains world’s busiest airport title The Chicago Sun-Times reported in late November that United and American were balking at a global terminal and two satellite concourses, fearing that the overall project already was 24% over budget. To salvage the next major phase of the O'Hare makeover project, Johnson proposed the change in construction sequencing. Durbin resisted, unwilling to delay the 25% increase in gate capacity at O'Hare. Although the global terminal would be “the first of its kind to combine domestic and international gates,” he argued that the increase in gate capacity would “overwhelmingly come from the two satellite concourses."“If United and American airlines had it their way, they would delay the satellite terminals and build only the part of the project that benefits them and doesn’t increase competition," Durbin wrote in an op-ed published by the Tribune.United and American strongly dispute Durbin's argument. They contend that under the new lease, the more any airline flies, the more gates they get.During the Terminal 3 news conference, Durbin said negotiations were “in a better place" and signaled a deal was near.“We have a proposal that will reach our goal of a 25% increase in [gate] capacity over the period of time that we wish,” Durbin said on that day. An expanded international terminal at O’Hare Airport adds 10 new gates, with new food offerings and other improvements. International flights also will use the new global terminal, which will replace the airport’s Terminal 2.Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times O'Hare Expansion Coverage Transportation Makeover of O'Hare's Terminal 3 takes off as airlines mull deal on expansion, Global Terminal The Terminal 3 project, made possible by $90 million in federal grants, includes wider concourses, renovated restrooms, a revamped baggage claim area, more concession space and a host of other passenger amenities. By Fran Spielman [month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]   Columnists Corning sheds light on fiber optics at O'Hare On Monday, a small Chicago contractor complained of being frozen out of O’Hare work; now the communications giant would like its say. By Neil Steinberg [month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]   Columnists 'Straight-up collusion' drives O'Hare cost overruns, small contractor says Owner of fiber-optics company says the Chicago Department of Aviation is freezing out small contractors. By Neil Steinberg [month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]   Editorials Get O'Hare's long-delayed Terminal 2 project ready for takeoff The project is too big to fail. It’s a needed win for Chicago’s future, and it’s imperative that the financial issues stalling Terminal 2 get resolved. By CST Editorial Board [month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]   Fran Spielman Show Johnson urged to ‘find solutions that work for the airlines’ to salvage O’Hare expansion Days after announcing his departure from the job growth agency known as World Business Chicago, Michael Fassnacht urged City Hall and the two major carriers to work out their differences on a massive project that started at $8.7 billion but has ballooned to $12.1 billion. By Fran Spielman [month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]   Editorials Chicago must keep pushing forward on O’Hare expansion project United and American Airlines want to scale back or slow down the massive project to replace Terminal 2. Both Illinois senators and former Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who forged the plan with the airlines, say a deal’s a deal. By CST Editorial Board [month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]   City Hall As O’Hare expansion price tag climbs, airport’s two biggest carriers want project scaled back – or grounded United and American airlines are slated to share a new “global terminal” handling both domestic and international flights — a project funded in part by airlines. But now both carriers want Mayor Brandon Johnson to alter those plans. By Fran Spielman and David Roeder [month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]   Transportation O’Hare’s expanded international terminal is ‘stunning and beautiful,’ Lightfoot boasts Four years in the making, the project means 25% more capacity for an international terminal once housed in the ground floor of a parking garage. It’s a major milestone for a massive airport renovation now projected to cost $12.1 billion. By Fran Spielman [month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]   Editorials O’Hare improvement plan prepared for takeoff — and right on time If Chicago is to consider itself a world-class city, having a travel-friendly, functional, showcase international airport is key. By CST Editorial Board [month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]   Transportation O’Hare expansion cleared for takeoff The project is expected to start with two new satellite concourses, which will “dramatically expand the airport’s ability to accommodate aircraft of all sizes,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said. “This is a big deal for us.” By Stefano Esposito [month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]   Chicago Aviation turmoil threatens O’Hare improvements The $8.7 billion expansion project needs revenue from airlines now struggling to survive. By Fran Spielman and David Roeder Business Reporter [month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]   City Hall ‘Critical moment’ for $8.7B O’Hare Airport expansion project Chicago-based architectural giant Skidmore, Owings & Merrill signs a five-year, $140 million contract to design two new satellite concourses. By Fran Spielman [month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]   City Hall $160 million O’Hare Airport design contract awarded to joint venture led by renowned Chicago architect Jeanne Gang Mayor Lori Lightfoot was not happy with the secretive City Hall selection process that culminated in the choice of Gang, But she apparently was not upset enough to order a do-over. By Fran Spielman [month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]   News Architect Jeanne Gang’s team chosen to design O’Hare’s new ‘global terminal’ Studio ORD was among five teams chosen as finalists. Its airy design includes indoor trees and grass, an homage to O’Hare’s roots as Orchard Field. By Fran Spielman [month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]   Transportation O’Hare overhaul begins with kickoff of international terminal expansion The project, to be completed in 2021, will include adding 10 gates to the terminal and increase overall space by about 350,000 square feet. By Fran Spielman [month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]   City Hall City unveils 5 designs for huge new O’Hare terminal The new global terminal at O’Hare International Airport is expected to open in 2028. By Stefano Esposito [month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]   News Five teams of architects make short-list to design the new O’Hare Airport Next for the finalists is a “request for proposals” process that requires them to submit a “design model that will be showcased at various locations.” By Fran Spielman [month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]